2009

This New Year is going to be a year of change.
What was birthed in 2008 will begin to grow and produce in 2009.
I believe it will be a year of dreaming, yet tangible results.
I have talked with and heard many people over the past weeks who have expressed elation with the closing of 2008.
Many see 2008 as a year of pain, suffering, and loss.
However, 2008 was a year of new beginnings.
Just mull over that for a second.
If you think about that, what step or process is always the most difficult to overcome in a project or something large that is undertaken?
The beginning is always the most difficult step.
Why?
Getting started is always the toughest step because it requires a change from what we have come to acknowledge as routine.
And we are creatures of habit.
Anyway, just a thought on the past year and the new one we find ourselves in.

From here, I want to start sharing what I've been learning. So, here goes nothing.
This note references the book of Haggai.

Although the book of Haggai only contains two chapters and 38 verses, the Word of God is living and relevant to us today. If you haven't read this book for some time, or ever at all, I encourage you to do so.
Firstly what I noticed was that Haggai the Prophet gave the people of Israel - God's chosen people - a word of the Lord; it was to rebuild the Lord's Temple. After giving them this word, here's what followed:
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the Prophet, as the Lord their God has sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord. Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, 'I am with you' saith the Lord." (Haggai 1:12-13; KJV).
Notice how Haggai first gave the people the order of what they were supposed to do - to rebuild the Temple. It was only after they obeyed the Word of the Lord that the Lord assured them He was with them. When God tells us to do something, no matter what it may be, we should do it even if He doesn't guarantee He will be with us (which you know He's going to anyway). We should obey Him simply because we love Him and want to do what He says. Like the Bible says, "For obedience is better than sacrifice."

Thus, even if the road ahead is not guaranteed, we should obey nevertheless. I pray God grants us the strength to obey no matter the circumstances, to obey because that's what He wants; because "If you love me, you'll do what I say." - Jesus Christ

Secondly, although God does not dwell in earthly shelters, man does create a dwelling for Him. God is among us and within us. However, He tells His people to rebuild His temple. And God says why He tells them to rebuild, "Because while you've run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins. That's why. Because of your stinginess." (Haggai 2; Message).

He then tells them that because of this, that's why there's been a curse on the land and all that it produces. Yet, was the physical temple being rebuilt as important as the Israelites hearts returning to their God? I think not. What I've noticed all through the scriptures is a common theme with God: it's always a heart issue. For God looks beyond the outward appearance of a man and into the heart because the heart is from where all things come (Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks; guard your heart, for out of it flows the well spring of life.) God didn't really care about those busted up stones and mortar that used to be His temple; he cared about the hearts of His people. In this case, obedience is what God was looking for. He doesn't need a physical dwelling place here on Earth to be among men. He wanted their obedience more than anything. And I believe that if He truly has our hearts, we will willingly care for His house, whatever or wherever that may be.

Does God have our obedience? I venture to say that if He does, then He's already got our hearts.